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Hernando Today

Confidence Aside, Will Results Follow?

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By TONY CASTRO SPORTS EDITOR

Hernando Today

Published: May 31, 2008

For years, the youngest of Hernando Youth League's baseball divisions -- Ridge Manor -- has also been the weakest link.

But with the emergence of Wesley Chapel, Ridge Manor is no longer the youngest kid on the block.

Coincidentally, Ridge Manor began to make some noise last year at the T-Ball level.

In 2007, Head Coach John Jernigan's squad went a respectable 2-2. In the process, Ridge Manor averaged almost 30 runs per game. It's biggest drawback? It permitted 32 runs per game.

A year later, Ridge Manor's skipper Walter Kieffer opens the 10-team, double-elimination District 6 T-Ball Tournament at 10 a.m. today in Webster against Wildwood.

Kieffer, who has two players and two coaches from last year's experience back in the fold, is beaming with enthusiasm.

Like a ton of Chicago Cubs fans, Kieffer truly believes his team could still be standing in the title hunt in a week.

Members of the team

Ridge Manors T-Ball All-Stars features 13 players including: OF William Bradshaw, DH/OF John Coile, CF James Knight, OF Jesse Martino, 3B Justin McBee, DH/OF Hayden Miller, SS Shemar Lawson, C Clay Oates, DH/OF Justin Oates, 1B William Portelli, P Seth Simonds, OF Jon Thompson and 2B Gabriel Way.

Kieffer will be assisted by his wife, Christine, along with Jeff Oates and Linda Portelli.

Kieffer, who guided the Reds to a 12-3 regular season mark, says the reason for the optimism is simple -- two of his best players, Portelli and Lawson, participated in this tournament a year ago.

At this point, Portelli is penciled in at pivotal No. 3 hole in the line-up while the left-handed slugging Lawson will bat fourth.

"We've got some heavy hitters," said Kieffer referring to Portelli and Lawson. "But Simonds, Way and TJ Knight can handle the bat real well too."

Defensively, however, there are more unknowns.

"At this point, we know we've got to work on our fielding," addressed Kieffer. "I think we're phenomenal up the middle from catcher to center. Now it's a matter of getting the ball to where it needs to go."

Ridge Manor's goals

Kieffer does not sugar coat his ultimate goals.

"I'd like to see us go all the way," said Kieffer. "We want to win it all. We'd like to be recognized for being the first ones from our park to win a district championship."

What stands in the way?

"Teams like Bushnell, Brooksville don't expect us to reach the top, so there's no pressure on us," said Kieffer. "Winning the first game against Wildwood is the key. A win shows the dedication we've put in to Ridge Manor. The kids want to make themselves better. The keys on Saturday are constant team work and keeping the kid's heads into the game."

Sports Editor Tony Castro can be reached at (352) 544-5278 or online at acastro@hernandotoday.com

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